Car-coupling



No. 623,845. Patented Apr. 25, I899. 8 SMITH CAR COUPLING.

(Application 'filed Jan. 8, 1899.)

(No Model) K .NN e;

v" y Md fifn SAMUEL SMITH, OF WVATERLOO, IOWA.

CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATIGN forming part of Letters Patent No. 623,845, dated April 25, 1899.

Application filed January 3, l 8 9 9.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that-I, SAMUEL SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Waterloo, in the county of Black Hawk and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Oar-Couplers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to car-couplin gs and it consists, substantially, in such features of improvement as will hereinafter be more particularly described.

The invention has for its object to provide means for automatically effecting the coupling between cars of a railway-train, and also to provide means for controlling the coupling devices from one side of the car or cars without the necessity of going between the cars or extending the hand or arm between the same for that purpose.

A further object is to provide the coupling devices of an exceedingly simple and effective construction, and also to render the same thoroughly reliable in use and action, as well as secure against any accidental separation or uncoupling either from the j olting action of the cars in motion or from other causes.

The above and additional objects are attained by the means illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a longitudinal sectional view, in part elevation, of my improved car-coupling, the parts being shown as set or in position for effecting the coupling of one car to another automatically. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the parts in coupled or connected relation, and Fig. 3 is an end elevation of a car frame and platform, together with one part of my improved coupling, and showing more clearly the means or mechanism for setting and releasing the coupling devices from one side of the car. Fig. 4 is a view in detail, showing the construction of the locking-bar for preventing disengagement of the coupling devices.

Preliminary to a more detailed description it may be stated that my improved coupling device comprises a pivoted vertically-operating latch-bar provided with means for engaging the coupling-link, and also provided with Serial No. 700,957- (No model.)

means for insuring the true working movements of said bar and for cooperating with a locking-bar for effecting the secure fastening of the parts after the coupling is made. To set the parts in position or readiness for operation in connecting one car with another, the pivoted latch-bar of the draw-head or bumper of one car is raised or elevated by means extending to one side of the car, and

' said latch-bar is automatically engaged in such raised or elevated position by means of a weighted dog or detent pivoted in the said draw-head. The link is held by the engaging devices therefor (which are down) on the draw-head or bumper of the other car, and when the two cars are brought together, either by the movement of one or of both, the free end of said link enters the draw-head of the first car, whereupon the pivoted latch-bar of that car is released from its engagement by the dog and the latch-bar descends onto the top of the draw-head and the engaging devices of the bar secure the link, and the two cars are thus coupled together. To uncouple the cars, the latch-bar of the draw-head of either one of the cars is raised, as before, and then as the cars are separated the link is withdrawn from that draw-head, while still being held byono end in the draw-head of the other car. Immediately the released end of the link is withdrawn the pivoted dog swings downward of its own weight and the upper end thereof catches and holds the end of the latch-bar in upward position, ready to be tripped for again effecting a coupling automatically, as before. The construction and operation of the coupling devices are-the same for each car and it makes no difference which set of devices is operated. The link when held in one draw-head is supported horizontally in substantially true parallelism or alinement, and thus is the proper entrance of the same into the other draw-head made certain and reliable.

Reference being had to the accompanying drawings, A A each represent a bumper or draw-head constructed in accordance with my improvements and which, as shown, is formed in its upper part with a longitudinal groove or recess 1, which extends the whole length of the draw-head except at the inner end, where the same is closed at 2. The said groove or recess is of any suitable depth, and the bottom 3 of the same terminates some distance from the mouth or outer end of the draw-head A, thus leaving an opening 4, which extends all the way through the draw-head from its upper to its lower surface.

For a suitable distance from the forward end of the draw-head the sides of the same are somewhat extended below, as shown at 5, and the forward end or extremity of the opening 4: is beveled at G for a purpose hereinafter more fully understood. The mouth of the draw-head is beveled inwardly at '7 on all sides, so as to be enlarged or flaring, by which to properly guide or direct the link 8 to place in effecting a coupling.

Pivoted at f) to the inner or rearward end of the draw-head A, between the sides of the longitudinal groove or recess 1 therein, is a vertically-operating latch-bar 10, which is adapted to said groove and which works up and down therein in effecting the engagement and release of the link. Said latch-bar is formed with a latch 11 for engaging the link, as shown in the drawings, and to the rear of and somewhat beyond the said latch the bar is formed or provided with an arm or tongue 12, passing through and working up and down in the opening a and extending or projecting beyond the under side of the draw-head. Intermediate the latch 11 and arm 12 the latchbar is recessed or cut out slightly at 13, and a beveled shoulder 14 is formed on the bar. .leyond the said latch at the free end of the latch-bar the latter is provided with a short extended portion 15 simply for the purpose of strength. The said latch-bar is also formed or provided at its upper edge with a longitudinal cross-piece 16, which acts as a stop for the downward movement of the bar in the groove 1 and which also strengthens the bar and prevents to a considerable extent the entrance of dirt and moisture in to both the said groove and the opening at, thus protecting the parts and preventing any hindrance to perfect working of the same.

livoted between the sides of the draw-head at 17 and working or swinging in the opening 1 is a weighted gravity-dog 18, the upper end of which is beveled on its opposite edges at 10 and which is slightly hook-shaped at 20. At the upper surface the extreme end of said dog or detent is flattened at 21 to receive and support the lower end of the latch 11 at the corner 22 thereof, and the pivoted point of the dog is such with reference to the position of said latch that whenever the end of the link is forced into the mouth of the draw-head the forward edge of the upper end of said dog will be struck by the link and the dog thrown forward at its lower end to the position indicated. As the dog is thus thrown the latchbar is tripped, and the latch thereon descends into the link and secures the latter. The beveled shoulder It on the latch-bar serves'at this time to depress the upper end of the dog, so as to keep the latter from working up behind the engaged end of the link, due to any tendency of the weight 22 of the dog to swing the latter back to its vertical position.

For the purpose of locking the parts in their coupled relation I provide a locking-bar 25, extending transversely of the coupling and reaching out to one side of the car, so as to be operated without danger of accident. Said locking-bar is supported in a hanger and is free to partake of the necessary vertical movements of the arm 12 on the latch-bar and at one end is provided with an operating crank or handle 27. Said handle is so positioned with reference to a weight 28 at the opposite end of said locking-bar that when the bar is engaged to secure the coupling devices the combined weight at the two ends of the bar' will serve to hold the bar to such engagement. The said locking-bar is loosely supported at near its weighted end in a slot or opening formed in the lower end of the arm 12 of the latch-bar, and projecting from the side thereof on opposite sides of said arm are two fingers 31, which when the locking-bar is turned into proper position come directly beneath the draw-head and engage the latter in such manner as to resist any tendency to upward movement of the arm 12, and consequently of the pivoted latch-bar 10. The draw-head on its under side and on each side of the opening a therein is formed with ashoulder 35, against which the outer sides of the locking-fingers impinge whenever the arm 12 tends to crowd upwardly from any cause.

It should be remarked that when the ears are coupled the link has a limited independent longitudinal play or movement, although securely prevented from disconnecting the cars by means of the latch on the latch-bar. \Vhenever the latch-bar is lifted to release the link, the lower weighted end of the pivoted dog swings downwardly with some force, and in this way the upper end of the dog is carried forward against the end of the link and which movement in a measure serves to eject the link from the draw-head at least to an extent sufficient to carry it beyond the end of the catch, and thus the link does not interfere with the immediate engagement of the catch by the upper end of the dog, and the parts are again brought into position of readiness for an automatic coupling.

The means for operating my improved carcoupling from the side of the car consist of a rod 40, working vertically in hearings or guides formed in supports etl and actuated by a spring or weight 42 to constantly force the latch-bar downward in its groove in the drawhead. Said red at its lower end has a movable connection at 43 with the said latch-bar and at its upper end is connected with one end of an operating cord or chain 44, which passes over a sheave or pulley 45 and is connected to a hand-lever 46, which is swiveled at 47 to any convenient support. It is evident that by properly turuin g said lever the spring-actuated rod 40 will be raised, carry- IIO ing with it the latch-bar, which is immediately engaged in its upward position by the dog, as already explained. The said latchbar and rod 40 cannot, of course, be thus moved or operated without first turning the locking-bar to release its fingers from engagement with the draw-head.

It will be understood that I do not limit myself to the details of construction and arrangement of parts herein shown and described and that I am at liberty to makeimmaterial changes and alterations therein without departing from the spirit or scope of my invention.

What I claim is 1. In a car-coupling, the combination Witha latch-bar having an arm working through an opening in the draw-head, of a locking-bar movably suspendedin said arm outside of the draw-head, and provided with fingers engaging the draw-head when the bar is turned, substantially as shown and for the purpose described.

2. In a car-coupling, the combination with the draw-head, of a pivoted latch-bar having a latch Working in the draw-head for engaging the coupling-link, means operated from one side of the car for moving the bar to carry the latch out of the path of the link, means for engaging the bar in such position, and for tripping the same on introduction of the link, and means also operated from one side of the car for engaging the draw-head to lock the bar after engagement of the link by the latch, substantially as described.

3. In a car-coupling, the combination with the draw-head, of a pivoted latch-barhaving a latch working in the draw-head for engaging the coupling-link, means for moving the bar to carry the latch out of the path. of the link, a pivoted weighted dog for engaging the bar in such position, and for tripping the bar on introduction of the link, and means operated from one side of the car for engaging the draw-head to lock the bar after engagement of the link by the latch, substantially as described.

4. In a car-coupling, the combination of a draw-head having in its upper part a longitudinal groove or recess, terminating forwardly of the draw-head with an opening extending all the way through the latter, a pivoted latchbar working in the groove, and having a latch working in the opening for engaging the coupling-link, an arm also carried by the bar and extending through and beyond thesaid opening, means for moving the bar to carry the latch out of the path of the link, means for engaging the bar in such position, and for tripping the same on introduction of the link, and means loosely supported by said arm for en gaging the draw-head to lock the latch-bar after engagement of the link by the latch, as described.

5. In a car-coupling, the combination with the draw-head, of apivoted latch-bar having a latch working in the draw-head for engaging the coupling-link, and also having an arm working through said draw-head, means for moving the bar to carry the latch out of the path of the link, means for engaging the bar in such position, and for tripping the same on introduction-of the link, and a locking-bar movably suspended in said arm and provided with fingers engaging the draw-head when the said locking-bar is turned in the manner described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

SAMUEL SMITH.

Witnesses:

E. L. JOHNSON, EMMoNs JOHNSON. 

